2nd Semester Plebe here! Fire away

Plebe2024AMA said:
I'm definitely excited about summer trainings, but no, they have not told us anything about liberty and it doesn't seem like a priority for upper leadership at all. For me, 12 hours every weekend off the yard (or even one or two weekends for the semester), would change everything. At least it would be something to look forward to.

We all just have to keep pushing through. Things are very dark here right now us plebes.
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I can guarantee USNA leaderships understands the importance of Liberty. They are balancing the Mission objective and other factors. Remember, you can only see things from your prospective as a Plebe. This will end.
 
My DS reports food not great. The fact that the plebes have yet to experience the sit down ritual of meals in King Hall is not lost on them.

Looking forward to gathering mail now that his ROM is over. Got a haircut yesterday, that improved morale for him. Funny, the barber told him he should select pilot because he looked like a pilot. I laughed, told him that wasn't a good reason to select any service, and what do pilots look like? Or submariners? Is their a mold or blueprint for that? Really cracked me up. Nice haircut, though.

Class load is solid, non in person classes not as great as in person. Virtual platforms challenging, but instructors are good.
Called home to share his rankings for summer blocks and is looking forward to PROTAMID and outcome of several applications to internships and summer programs.
Misses his dogs.
Not sure if he will like boxing but here's hoping.
Glad this semester is shorter than last and that spring will eventually arrive.
Happy he took a sleeping bag back with him.

Also, this semester involves selecting a major. That entails several meetings with academic advisors. Lots to consider and discuss, tons of mentorship available from uppers and advisors, instructors to help guide this decision. Completing lists for summer blocks also involves some research so they have plenty to do besides academics, sports, training for next months PRT and ProKnow. And lots of watches to stand.


Hopes lines for mail aren't too long and that liberty is somewhere on the horizon.

He mentally prepared as best as you can to go back for the Dark Ages. I am happy he and his roomie are a bonded pair and that they support each other. Great sense of humor helps every situation, laughter truly is the best medicine. I can hear them ribbing each other on the phone. And you can hear the smiles when they give each other a hard time.

He thought it was funny yesterday that we got more snow at home then Annapolis did and that our temps were lower (landlocked southwest state).
 
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Heatherg21 said:
Not sure if he will like boxing but here's hoping.
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If he likes boxing than he'll be one of a small number as most really don't enjoy it. It will however probably provide stories and commentary with his classmates that will be retold for the next 50+ years.

Pro Tip: Don't choose a partner that is trying to earn an "A" unless you too are trying for an "A".
 
I feel for the plebes. I also feel for the other kids their exact same age who enlisted and are now forward deployed or down range. Many of them aren’t sleeping in three-person rooms, enjoying hot showers everyday, getting access to modern fitness facilities, accessing free wifi or receiving care packages. These are the young people the plebes will be leading in just a few years.

So yes, it stinks to be a plebe during the dark ages in the age of Covid. But it’s all relative, isn’t it?
 
OldRetSWO said:
If he likes boxing than he'll be one of a small number as most really don't enjoy it. It will however probably provide stories and commentary with his classmates that will be retold for the next 50+ years.

Pro Tip: Don't choose a partner that is trying to earn an "A" unless you too are trying for an "A".
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ooooh, good tip. Mine hasn't boxed previously, but has sparred in Taekwondo. I think he is a little apprehensive about boxing. I will pass your tip on to him.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Pro Tip: Don't choose a partner that is trying to earn an "A" unless you too are trying for an "A".
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I hope mine also picks a partner who is just as blind without glasses. Might provide some entertainment while they are at it.

Heatherg21 said:
Got a haircut yesterday, that improved morale for him. Funny, the barber told him he should select pilot because he looked like a pilot. I laughed, told him that wasn't a good reason to select any service, and what do pilots look like? Or submariners? Is their a mold or blueprint for that? Really cracked me up. Nice haircut, though.
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Just glad he didn't suggest that your DS needed to get a job in radio.
 
OldRetSWO said:
MIf he likes boxing than he'll be one of a small number as most really don't enjoy it. It will however probably provide stories and commentary with his classmates that will be retold for the next 50+ years.

Pro Tip: Don't choose a partner that is trying to earn an "A" unless you too are trying for an "A".
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My DS, liked boxing (2019 he was a 4C), although he never boxed before. DS says the boxing instructor is a USNA Legend and almost never gives an "A". DS won his matches, last one being a Prior Marine who he drew a little blood from. Must have been some cheering. He ended up with an "A". I wish he would get "A's" in all his 4 credit courses!
 
brewmeist said:
I have real concerns about 2023 not getting to experience PROTRAMID.
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you're definitely not alone in that concern. It's a big debate amongst 3/C right now. Just comes down to the fact that it isn't a congressional requirement, which isn't going to change any time soon most likely.
 
I totally understand those concerns. So many things were lost during this C crud. 2023 is high on the list of those who have lost important things.
 
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Heatherg21 said:
I totally understand those concerns. So many things were lost during this C crud. 2023 is high on the list of those who have lost important things.
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I'm not whining. As bad as 2023 (and 2020, 2021, 2024.....) has it, somebody is much worse off. But I think of my son. He has physically been at USNA about 10 months total since I-Day, which was June 2019. He has been home 8 months. He has not been able to take his summer tour after Plebe year. Now he will never experience PROTRAMID. And he is only one of 1200 Youngsters. They are all in the same boat. But the reality is, will he be prepared to be a Naval Officer? How does he discover what career he is suited for?

I don't fault anyone. I think the Supe and Dant are doing an incredible job. They don't have the luxury of being Monday Morning QBs. They make real decisions that impact many lives. But it doesn't change the fact that this whole thing stinks.
 
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brewmeist said:
I'm not whining. As bad as 2023 (and 2020, 2021, 2024.....) has it, somebody is much worse off. But I think of my son. He has physically been at USNA about 10 months total since I-Day, which was June 2019. He has been home 8 months. He has not been able to take his summer tour after Plebe year. Now he will never experience PROTRAMID. And he is only one of 1200 Youngsters. They are all in the same boat. But the reality is, will he be prepared to be a Naval Officer? How does he discover what career he is suited for?

I don't fault anyone. I think the Supe and Dant are doing an incredible job. They don't have the luxury of being Monday Morning QBs. They make real decisions that impact many lives. But it doesn't change the fact that this whole thing stinks.
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Ugh my heart aches for every mid in this spot and their support crew (ie mom and dad and others). I think my dad may visit this weekend. I am curious to ask him about his experiences at USNA when he attended. Was PROTRAMID a thing? How did he and my grandfather service select? I don’t know the answer. I don’t pose it as anecdotal.
I am truly curious how those who came before under different circumstances handled it. Not because it was better. Or more old school. But because our current mids are living in the new world of Covid flux and I am hopeful that those who came before may have found success without things like PROTRAMID. I am sorry your kiddo has lost so many in person experiences.
 
How’s the mail situation these days? We overnighted a new phone to our DS (his died and since he can’t leave the Yard he asked us to buy him a replacement). Tracking indicated it arrived FedEx last week but it’s somewhere in the Bancroft post office.
 
ders_dad said:
How’s the mail situation these days? We overnighted a new phone to our DS (his died and since he can’t leave the Yard he asked us to buy him a replacement). Tracking indicated it arrived FedEx last week but it’s somewhere in the Bancroft post office.
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Looks like you just answered your own question. Not just a Mother B post office issue but a larger USPS problem, I’ve been told. DD needed something last week, so we sent it to her sponsor. I believe sponsor did a drive-by and tossed it over the wall (or something like that). Problem solved. 😬
 
Sending to sponsor - that was a great idea. Unfortunately my son’s sponsored moved out of the region.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Pro Tip: Don't choose a partner that is trying to earn an "A" unless you too are trying for an "A".
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LOL -- I remember partners trying to cut a deal that would make both look good, but like the old saying, every good plan doesn't survive first contact with the enemy ! They went in with good intentions, but it escalated to a brawl with the first punch! Drawing blood was a prerequisite to getting an A.

Another Pro Tip - schedule PE early in the day. The gloves and headgear are really gross after others have been wearing them all day ! (That memory comes up every time memories of boxing come up on my Class Facebook page. Nobody remembers what they learned, who they boxed, etc, but everyone remembers going to class with the smell of sweaty leather).
 
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